It's Saturday afternoon where I live (Baku, Azerbaijan) and I've worked hard on this one all day and feel good about it.
Either a man or a woman can sing this, as I offer a choice of Elvis and king or Reba and queen in the words.
Now available in four different versions: 1. by sdcpaman 2. by cheslain, 3. by Jeff9 and 4. by netnoise.
I’ve pulled the car to the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
It’s blazing hot and the A/C’s off
And still I’m feeling frozen
And a voice inside my head just said
“You really should turn around”
But I’ve taken stock and know if I knock
On any more doors that just aren’t gonna open
A tender part of my once-brave heart
Will stop
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
There’s no one who can say I didn’t try
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
I’m taking deep breaths on the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
I picture Ma and the star she saw
I don’t know what I’ll tell her
On the day I left, car pointed west
Her eyes had lit up with pride
A smile so big, imagining gigs
Me living like Elvis/Reba rather than in a cellar
What will she do when I walk on through
Her door?
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
There’s no one who can say I didn’t try
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
Tears might be falling on the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
Pawned my guitar to gas up the car
I almost wish I hadn’t
When I look ahead, I feel half dead
I swore I’d outshine the sun
Need to come to grips with this total eclipse
When even one ray of sunlight leaves me saddened
I won’t be king/queen, not of anything
At all
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
There’s no one who can say I didn’t try
It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
I’ve pulled the car to the side of the road
Somewhere east of Nashville
@netnoise Feb 2022
Hi. I live somewhere East of Nashville and these lyrics spoke to me. The fear of missing your chance and the fear of failing once you give it your all are familiar feelings. I hear some potential melodies and chords to go with your lovely visual words. I'll see if I can get them together. Keep up the great work.
@sdcpaman Feb 2022
Doug, this one's really good...Can I take an unofficial shot at it, not exclusive, this one can have many interpretations I think....
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
Ah you are my Azerbaijan listener! I am your Aussie reader ! I was referred to this one and i can see why. Really good I particularly like. It’s harder than I ever could imagine
To leave behind a dream that hasn’t died
@moonraccoon Feb 2022
Very nice, Doug. I think you've captured Exactly what you were going for. I'm eagerly looking forward to the interpretations to come.
@serene123 Feb 2022
You live in Baku? Wow... What is that like? That caught my eye! I like this very descriptive and emotional write. Look forward to the music too.
@cheslain Feb 2022
Oh this is wonderful. Really powerful, evocative imagery telling a touching story. Can I have a go at putting these to music? Non-exclusively. I've never been anywhere near Nashville though, but I think I can relate to the emotion.
@mikeb Feb 2022
I bet there are a lot of people that this could be biographical for them, too many think heading to Nashville is their path to stardom,
Nice write, looking forward to someone putting this to music.
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
These are powerful words! I look forward to hearing what someone does with these. It's got a great format for this. Great job.
@jeff9 Feb 2022
I’d love to take a run at it, Doug, but non-exclusive, so if you get another offer, I’d encourage you to go for it and get multiple interpretations.
@oswlek Feb 2022
Nice one, Doug. Looking forward to seeing what becomes of it!
@colgoo Feb 2022
Pawning the guitar to pay for gas? Whoa, that is hitting rock bottom. The quiet desperation of a lost dream shines through.